Systems and methods for non-lethal, near-range detainment of subjects

Abstract

A near-range launcher assembly for at least temporarily detaining a subject include a primary launcher carrying a first projectile, the first projectile including a pair of pellets and a tether connecting the pellets. A secondary launcher carries a second projectile. At least one power source is associated with one or both of the primary and secondary launchers. At least one control system is operably coupled to the at least one power source, the control system operable to activate the power source. At least one user input is operably coupled to the at least one control system, the user input operable to communicate with the control system based on input from the user to activate the at least one power source to expel one or both of the first projectile and the second projectile from the launchers toward the subject.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A near-range launcher assembly for at least temporarily detaining a subject, comprising:
 a primary launcher, the primary launcher carrying a first projectile, the first projectile including a pair of pellets and a tether connecting the pellets; 
 a secondary launcher, the secondary launcher comprising a conducted energy launching device (“CEW”) carrying a second projectile; 
 at least one power source, associated with one or both of the primary and secondary launchers; 
 at least one control system, operably coupled to the at least one power source, the control system operable to activate the power source; and 
 at least one user input, operably coupled to the at least one control system, the user input operable to communicate with the control system based on input from the user to activate the at least one power source to expel one or both of the first projectile and the second projectile from the launchers toward the subject. 
 
     
     
       2. The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein each of the primary launcher and the secondary launcher each carry an independent power source and control system, such that each of the primary and secondary launchers is independently operable by the user. 
     
     
       3. The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the system includes a single user input and a single control system, the single control system operable to activate either or both of the primary or secondary launchers in response to input from the user. 
     
     
       4. The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the second projectile includes an untethered payload. 
     
     
       5. The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the second projectile includes a marking projectile capable of depositing a detectable marker on the subject. 
     
     
       6. The assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the marking projectile carries one or more of: a dye, a paint, and an electronic tag. 
     
     
       7. The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the second projectile includes an impact munition. 
     
     
       8. The assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the impact munition includes one or more of: a bean bag, a sponge grenade, a rubber projectile, a polymeric bullet and a wax bullet. 
     
     
       9. The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the second projectile carries a chemical irritant. 
     
     
       10. The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the second projectile includes a pair of electrodes operably coupled to the secondary launcher. 
     
     
       11. The assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more sight generators carried by the launcher assembly, the sight generator(s) operable to generate a visible sight projectable on the subject. 
     
     
       12. The assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the one or more sight generators are capable of generating two distinct sight patterns, each distinct sight pattern associated with one of the primary or secondary launcher. 
     
     
       13. The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the second projectile comprises a fluid. 
     
     
       14. The assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the secondary launcher includes a reservoir to contain the fluid and a pump to deliver the fluid from the secondary launcher. 
     
     
       15. The assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the secondary launcher further comprises a nozzle capable of delivering the fluid from the launcher in a controlled direction, rate or pattern. 
     
     
       16. A near-range launcher assembly for at least temporarily detaining a subject, comprising:
 a primary launcher, the primary launcher carrying a first projectile, the first projectile including a pair of pellets and a tether connecting the pellets; 
 a secondary launcher, the secondary launcher carrying a second projectile; 
 at least one power source, associated with one or both of the primary and secondary launchers; 
 at least one control system, operably coupled to the at least one power source, the control system operable to activate the power source; 
 at least one user input, operably coupled to the at least one control system, the user input operable to communicate with the control system based on input from the user to activate the at least one power source to expel one or both of the first projectile and the second projectile from the launchers toward the subject; and 
 one or more sight generators carried by the launcher assembly, the sight generator(s) operable to generate a visible sight projectable on the subject, the one or more sight generators being capable of generating two distinct sight patterns, each distinct sight pattern associated with one of the primary or secondary launcher. 
 
     
     
       17. A near-range launcher assembly for at least temporarily detaining a subject, comprising:
 a primary launcher, the primary launcher carrying a first projectile, the first projectile including a pair of pellets and a tether connecting the pellets; 
 a secondary launcher, the secondary launcher carrying a second projectile; 
 at least one power source, associated with one or both of the primary and secondary launchers; 
 at least one control system, operably coupled to the at least one power source, the control system operable to activate the power source; 
 at least one user input, operably coupled to the at least one control system, the user input operable to communicate with the control system based on input from the user to activate the at least one power source to expel one or both of the first projectile and the second projectile from the launchers toward the subject; and 
 the second projectile comprising a fluid and the secondary launcher including a reservoir to contain the fluid and a pump to deliver the fluid from the secondary launcher. 
 
     
     
       18. The assembly of  claim 17 , wherein the secondary launcher further comprises a nozzle capable of delivering the fluid from the launcher in a controlled direction, rate or pattern.